Which sea lies east of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef?

The Coral Sea lies east of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.

The Coral Sea is a marginal sea of the southwestern Pacific Ocean, extending between Australia, New Caledonia and Papua New Guinea. The Great Barrier Reef occupies much of its western margin, running along Queensland’s coast.

The reef is not directly in the open coastal waters everywhere. Its outer reefs, lagoons and islands form a vast system between the mainland and deeper waters of the Coral Sea. Ocean currents, tides and waves from the sea influence reef temperatures, nutrient movement and larval dispersal.

The Coral Sea is sometimes confused with the Tasman Sea, which lies farther south between Australia and New Zealand. The Arafura Sea is north of Australia, while the Timor Sea is to the northwest.